When it comes to video game adaptations, there is always the question of following the game canon or establishing its own original story.
The Fallout series works in the same canon as the games, but adaptations like Tomb Raider, The Last of Us, and The Super Mario Bros. Movie have to establish their own lore to make sense storywise.
Despite the large world established by the Borderlands game, the film still decided to have its own canon, and director Eli Roth talks about the decision to stay out of the game’s timeline.
Is the Borderlands Movie Canon?
Talking to Dexerto, Roth explained that he had discussions with Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford about what continuity the Borderlands film should follow, and they both agreed that they should be in different canons. Roth explains:
“The game’s the game, and the movie’s the movie. That was one of the first things I talked to Randy Pitchford the creator about. I was like, I want to make a great, big, fun sci-fi movie. I want to do a mix of Star Wars, and Mad Max, and Fifth Element, and Barbarella, and Blade Runner, and Escape from New York.”
I want all of these things in there. I don’t want to just recreate what’s in the game. [Pitchford] was great, he was like, ‘go for it.’ The games are their own canon, and the movie’s its own thing.”
With each of the main characters in the film, like Lilith, Roland, Tiny Tina, and Claptrap, having their own stories in the game, it was unlikely that the movie would follow the game’s established canon. After all, video games have the luxury of telling a story that spans multiple hours—movies are limited to two hours at best—that’s why series adaptations tend to be better received by audiences.
How’s Borderlands Doing in the Box Office?
Admittedly, the early reception for the Borderlands movie has not been great, which is troubling considering that the film cost upwards of $100 million to produce. Lionsgate probably expected the film to make Marvel Studios-level numbers at that point.
So far, reviews have been calling the film a ‘soulless mess’ and a ‘shameless cash-grab.’ Ironically enough, those same criticisms could be said about Deadpool and Wolverine, but that movie is looking to cross a billion at the box office.
It’s unclear where Borderlands is going wrong, but some think the film is trying too hard to be as colorful and musical as Guardians of the Galaxy. The film’s marketing also fails to convey what makes this sci-fi Mad Max unique from what’s come before it.
To be fair, there’s still a lot of room for the film to spread some good word-of-mouth while it’s in theatres, but based on early reviews and recent studio release patterns, fans could be looking at a digital release for Borderlands in less than a month.
Either way, Borderlands fans should probably give the film a try. Borderlands is now showing in theatres.